Thread: lower radiator hose

Tweet

what are you using for lower radiator hose on the 32 ford with small block chevy engine and new radiator built to 32 ford specs. 1 3/4 outlet on bottom radiator hose and on water pump?????? I got it connected with a couple trips to the auto parts store and lots of time spent playing with different hoses but would like something easier and better looking than what I have now. Suggestions????

You did exactly what I'd do. There may be a set hose for this but I doubt if there would be enough demand.

I use 56 chevy v8 lower hose and cut about 1 in. off both ends and it fits like o.e.m. 65 corvette f.i. 327 walker radiator works for me ...ted

thanks Ted. bought the 56 chevy hose this morning and went on without any cutting and fits perfect. sure looks better than the three 90 degree elbows I had stuck together to get around all the corners. does look OEM. Was at the car show last weekend at Daytona International Speedway and looked at all the 32's to try and get more ideas there and every one of them had terrible looking concoctions made to get the water where it needed to go on lower radiator connection.

Looks Great!
If you need an internal hose spring here is a link to one you can cut to fit;
Mustang Lower Radiator Hose Spring Stainless Steel Small Block 1965-1973 | CJ Pony Parts

Be sure it has the spring inside. Or it will suck shut.

I will order a spring to be on the safe side there

Originally Posted by daytonagary

I will order a spring to be on the safe side there

Your local NAPA guy can get one for you if he doesn't have one in stock.

Most auto supply stores stock flex hoses with a built-in spring. They come in various lengths. Ask to look at their hose rack in back.

Flex hose is the easy way out but I never use them. Cheapens the look under the hood especially when used on top hose. Don't like the looks of them at all and seen a study years ago that showed the ripples in the sides sets up turbulence inside against the hose walls greatly reduce the effective size of the hose so less water can pass through.

NAPA lists the springs apart from the hoses, so you can simply buy a spring alone. Lots of hoses that came with the internal spring twenty plus years ago now are sold bare and it's up to the buyer to get the optional spring if he needs it for a lower hose application. Oh, and the kids at AutoZone or other big box stores will look at you like you're crazy and ask for a make, model and year reference so they can find it in their automated data base system. They don't even know that they HAVE books with parts listed.

Yea, my NAPA store said springs were not available any more so I just ordered from the Mustang store listed above and it is all and and working perfect and looks great.